Adult Laryngomalacia: A Scoping Review

Objective: This review sought to determine the characteristics of adults diagnosed with new onset laryngomalacia including airway symptoms, laryngoscopic findings, treatments, and outcomes. Moreover, we wanted to highlight suspected limitations in the literature.

Data sources: Studies were identified through CINAHL, Cochrane Review, PubMed, and Scopus published between 1966 and 2023.

Review methods: The search was performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis Extension for Scoping Reviews checklist by 2 independent investigators. A meta-analysis of proportions and continuous measures was conducted.

Results: Of the 1121 abstracts identified, 33 articles pertaining to laryngomalacia in the adult population were included. The most common presenting symptoms were stridor at rest (78.3%, 65.1-88.3) and dyspnea with exertion (83.8%, 64.8-96.3). The most suspected etiology was exercise-induced (86.0%, 69.4-95.5), and the most common description of laryngomalacia on visualization was collapse of supraglottic structures during exercise (93.3%, 79.0-99.1). Nonsurgical options were attempted in 87.0% (54.0-99.1), which included oral appliances, respiratory retraining, breathing techniques, and working with a speech pathologist. Surgical options were ultimately performed in 84.2% (75.0-91.0). Complete resolution of symptoms following therapy was seen in 61.9% (48.0-74.6).

Conclusion: Adult onset laryngomalacia is difficult to characterize. It typically presents in patients during exercise, with neurological injury, or idiopathically. Surgical management can lead to improvement or complete resolution of symptoms. The need for a universal nomenclature is highlighted in this review, as it is inconsistently classified.